Michigan

CANUSA makes participants want to give back

The spectacular setting inside the beautiful Flint Institute of Arts made for the perfect backdrop Thursday evening at the Gala Dinner celebrating the 50th CANUSA Games.

And for Marty Crane, who has been involved in the games as an athlete, coach or organizer for every one of those years, it's still hard to believe time has gone by so quickly.

"It's unbelievable," he said. "I can remember riding the big cheeses (yellow school buses) over to Hamilton the first couple of years. Then we ended up going by train, and then we switched to charter buses. Yes, the time has really gone by fast."

By the way, Crane knows a little bit about fast times. He was the track coach at Beecher High School for 34 years, and his teams captured 10 state titles.

Crane plans to make the trip to Hamilton for the games Aug. 10-12. Like so many who have given of themselves to make the CANUSA Games the tradition it is, he feels it's his duty.

"In the beginning you never had the feeling that it would last 50 years," he said. "We were just kids having fun. But it meant so much to us that, as we got older, we felt the need to give back so the kids coming behind us could enjoy the competition.

"And people have kept giving back of their time to make this go. I'm honored to be a part of this."

Crane added the best part of the CANUSA Games are the relationships that are formed by teammates and even competitors.

"For the longest time I corresponded with the Sherwood family (one of the host families in Hamilton)," he said. "We would exchange Christmas cards and notes every year. They were such kind people. They are deceased now, but I won't forget their generosity."

Co-chairmen Tom Yeotis and Norman Bryant announced some important dates leading up to the CANUSA Games.

The Flint Olympian Games will have its opening ceremonies for its 51st games on July 10. The day will include a fitness walk (9:30 a.m.) at Kearsley Park, followed by the opening ceremonies at Central High's LaVoie Fieldhouse (10:30).

There will also be a 50th CANUSA Family/Participant/Alumni pep rally on Aug. 9 from 4-7 p.m. at Southwestern Academy.